Sneaker Game

Because the hood breeds 'em differently, there's a code to the streets, and though the nuances of each code may vary, one rule remains the same: STAY FLY. This axiom, adopted from the d-boi as part of the game played on the corners across the country, expanded from the trap to the streets when the b-boi fostered the hype around a fresh fit.

During the 1970s and 80s the trap mashed with the music atop the marketability of hip-hop, birthing a desire for shoe game exclusivity that flourished into the sneaker culture we know today. Nurtured by the thrill of the chase for rarity, coupled with the demand for doper collections and color ways, the groundwork for a unique revolution of thoughts between the sneaker creator and the sneaker connoisseur was established, and in this way a culture of sneaker heads work to shape the culture.

Traditionally, streetwear was considered anti-fashion. It was a rebellion against the system, worn by misguided and often underprivileged youth in dense metropolitan areas. The style is attributed to skateboarders, graffiti painters and struggling music artists (rappers and rockers).

Fast forward to 2017: skateboarding is officially a sport with multi-million dollar sponsorship, graffiti/pop art decorate the walls of the finest museums in the world, rappers and rockers are the trendsetters for youth fashion, and streetwear continues to have a stronghold on the youth market as it‘s often inexpensive and expressive with elements of trends and pop culture. Couple this with the idea of an aging Generation-X replacing the baby-boomers as the dominant spenders in the market and the market has very little boundaries.

Generation X (births between 1965-1980) is widely credited with the creation of streetwear/style. Known as the “Slacker” or “MTV” generation, this group is still a large buying share of the streetwear market. High fashion has be taking notice as well. Fashion houses like Balmain and Versace have infused streetwear into their collections and campaigns, carving a place in the high-end market for this type of apparel.

An insertion of athleisure now shapes a sector of the market, molding itself to the nuances of a pandemic in the mist of a metaverse immersion. Streetwear will surely soon be coded to don your avatar, and Bright Manor will explore this insertion in a next episode, blending conversations with creators & connoisseurs, amid a cultural shift to web3.0.

Sneaker Game Resources

Chuck Taylor's Enduring Legacy: A History of the Converse All Star

Read on Grailed.com

Local Roots, Global Ambitions: The History of Fila

Get to Know All About the History of Fila

Read on cultedge.com

Forever Faster from Day One: Puma Timeline

"PUMA has relentlessly pushed sport and culture forward by creating fast products for the world’s fastest athletes. For more than 70 years, we draw strength and credibility from our heritage in sports. "

Read on Puma.com